- missed school days or an inability to finish school;
- impaired relations with peers; low self-esteem;
- alcohol or other drug use; problems adjusting to work situations;
- and anxiety disorder in adulthood.
What Are the Signs of Anxiety Disorder?
There are a number of different anxiety disorders that affect children and adolescents. Several are described below.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Children and adolescents with this disorder experience extreme, unrealistic worry that does not seem to be related to any recent event. Typically, these young people are very self-conscious, feel tense, have a b need for reassurance, and complain about stomachaches or other discomforts that don't appear to have any physical basis.
- Phobias. A phobia is an unrealistic and excessive fear of some situation or object. Some phobias, called specific phobias, center on animals, storms, water, heights, or situations, such as being in an enclosed space. Children and adolescents with social phobias are terrified of being criticized or judged harshly by others. Because young people with phobias will try to avoid the objects and situations that they fear, the disorder can greatly restrict their lives.
- Panic Disorder. Panic disorder is marked by repeated panic attacks without apparent cause. Panic attacks are periods of intense fear accompanied by pounding heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of imminent death. The experience is so scary that the young person lives in dread of another attack. He or she may go to great lengths to avoid any situation that seems likely to bring on a panic attack. A child with panic disorder may not want to go to school or be separated from his or her parents.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. A child with obsessive-compulsive disorder becomes trapped in a pattern of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Even though the child may agree that the thoughts or behaviors appear senseless and distressing, the repetitions are very hard to stop. The compulsive behaviors may include repeated hand washing, counting, or arranging and rearranging objects.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop in children or adolescents after they experience a very stressful event. Such events may include physical or sexual abuse; being a victim of or witnessing violence; or being caught in a disaster, such as a bombing or hurricane. Young people with post-traumatic stress disorder experience the event again and again in b memories, flashbacks, or troublesome thoughts. As a result, the young person may try to avoid anything associated with the trauma. They may also overreact when startled or have difficulty sleeping.
How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental, emotional, and behavior problems that occur during childhood and adolescence. As many as 1 in 10 young people may have an anxiety disorder.2 Among adolescents, more girls than boys are affected. About half of the children and adolescents with anxiety disorders also have a second anxiety disorder or other mental or behavioral disorder, such as depression.
Next > Who Is At Risk and What Parents Can Do
Related Resources:
Coping with Children's Anxiety
Strategies for parents to cope with children's anxiety and improve well-being at home and school.
Anxiety Disorders Net Links
Additional resources for parents of children with anxiety disorders.
Elsewhere on the Web:
DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria - Anxiety Disorders
What the professionals use to diagnose this disorder. BehaveNet Clinical Capsules
Related Terms
